Ablutionary appliances

ABSTRACT

A spray nozzle fitting in which a spray head is rotatably mounted on a body for movement from a first to a second position to change the direction of the discharge spray, and valve means within the spray nozzle controlled by such rotation of the spray head to obtain respective different rates of discharge flow when the spray head is in the first or second position.

United States Patent [191 Arbon Dec. 18, 1973 ABLUTIONARY APPLIANCES[56] References Cited [75] Inventor: Dennis Charles Arbon, UNITED STATESPATENTS B t n- England 2,790,632 4 1957 Mellette 239/587 X AssigneezWalker crosvweuer & p y 3,680,780 8/1972 Arbon 239/587 X n w T v. I

e e en am ng an Primary ExaminerAllen N. Knowles [22] Filed: Sept. 19,1972 Attorney-.lmirie 8L Smiley [2!] Appl. No.: 290,366

[57] ABSTRACT A s ra nozzle fittin in which a s ra head is rotat- 30 F Al t P t D P Y E P Y 1 O 2 g y? :1 r y ata ably mounted on a body formovement from a first to l 50429/7 l a second position to change thedirection of the discharge spray, and valve means within the spraynozzle S 239/538 controlled by such rotation of the spray head to obtain[58] Field of Search 239/537, 538, 562, respect've dfferem rates ofd'scharge when the spray head is in the first or second position.

' 5 Claims, 61 Drawing Figures PATENTEU DEC] 8 I975 SHEET 3 BF 4PATENTEI] DEC] 8W5 suwunfg YABLUTIONARY APPLIANCES I This invention isconcerned with spray nozzle fittings of the kind which are adapted orarranged to be mounted in a manner enabling them to be moved by the userto different positions relative to the catchment means to change thedirection of the spray discharged from the spray nozzle. For instance,such kind of spray nozzle fittings may be mounted or supported on aslide for adjusting movement in a vertical sense; mounted on orsupported by an adjustable extensible support; or mounted on orsupported by -an adjustable arm or bracket. Y

With such arrangements it is desirable to ensure that when the directionof spray is discharged from the spray nozzle is changed, the dischargedwater is directed into or will fall into the catchment means. Althoughit' is conventional to provide a flow control valve, possibly inassociation with a mixer for the supply to the spray nozzle inlet, it isinconvenient to adjust this or to turn the valve off and on when it isrequired to change the direction of the discharged spray, for instancefrom a downward to an upward sense. Additionally, it is not feasible inmost cases to provide catchment means such as a bowl or foot standingwhich covers a sufficiently large catchment area to accommodate theextremes of position changes. For this reason, in a shower or likearrangements, a cubicle or curtains are utilised toconfine and directthedischarged spray into the foot standing.

The object of this invention is to provide a spray nozzle fitting ofthekind afore-referred to which overcomes the above mentioneddisadvantages by an improved construction in whichthe rate of flow ofthe discharged spray is automatically changed when the spray nozzlefitting is adjusted to vary the direction of the discharged spray.

Accordingly, this invention consists in a spray nozzle fitting of thekind defined comprising an elongated body formed with a bore forcommunication with a liquid supply, a spray head rotatably mounted onthe body and having a spray discharge outlet, valve means mounted withinthe spray nozzle and providing a path for liquid from the bore to thedischarge outlet, the valve means having first and second positions'toprovide two different rates of flow therethrough, and the valve meansbeing arranged to be moved from the first position to the. secondposition upon'rotation'of the spray head from a first position in whichthe spray discharge outlet is directed in one sense to a second positionin which the spray discharge outlet is directed in an alternative sense.7

Hence this invention may be applied to an arrangement in which the spraynozzle fitting is arranged so that in the first position the dischargedspray is directed upwardly and the valve means provides a restrictedflow rate and in the second position the discharged spray is directeddownwardly and the valve means is arranged to provide a greater orunrestricted flow rate.

Preferably, the valve means is arranged to close the liquid path duringrotation of the spray head between the first and second positions.Accordingly, whilst the main liquid supply is turned on, then duringrotation of the spray head to change the direction of spray dischargethe liquid is not discharged at intermediate posicross-sectional area ofthe two ports being different so as to obtain differing flow ratestherethrough.

. An exemplary embodiment of the invention is depicted in theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal-section of a spray nozzle fitting in a firstposition for a downward spray with full flow;

' FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section similar to FIG. 1 but in a secondposition for an upward spray with restricted flow;

FIG.'3 is a detail of parts of the spray nozzle fitting depicted inFIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 depicts an illustration embodying the spray nozzle fitting; and IFIGS. 5 and 6 depict two alternative positions in a further installationembodying the spray nozzle fitting.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the exemplary spray nozzle fittingcomprises a body 1 which has a through bore 2 in communication with abore or passageway 3 formed in a hand-grip 4 to which the body 1 isrigidly attached or secured. If desired the hand-grip and body may beintegral. Inany known and suitable manner the hand-grip is connected toa liquid supply pipe so that liquid may flow through the communicatingbores 2 and 3.

A spray head 5 is rotatably mounted on the body 1 for relative movementbetween first and second diametrically opposed positions. Thesepositions are defined by the closed ends of a semi-circular groove 6formed in the outer periphery of the body land in which a grub screw 7located in the spray head 5 is engaged. The spray head 5 is located onthe bodyagainst axial displacement relative tothe body 1 by both thegrub screw 7 and the interengagernent of shoulders 8, 9 formedrespectively on the body 1 and spray head 5.

.A liquid-tight mounting is achieved by an O-ring l0 seated in aperipheral groove formed in the body 1 and I engaging with the internalsurface of the spray head 5.

. member 13 is arranged to co-operate. An annular tions, for instance,when the spray discharge outlet is directed horizontally.

chamber 15 extends around that end portion of the body and the'chamber15 is in communication with a further chamber 16 from which liquid isdischarged through the spray ports 12.

As can best be seen in FIG. 3, the valve member 13 is formed with firstand second axially directed ports 17 and 18 of which the circumferentiallength of the first port 17 is substantially greater than that of thesecond port 18. The valve member 13 is further provided with fourequi-spaced lugs 19 extending from the closed end of the valve member 13towards the discharge chamber 16. The lugs 19 engage within fourcorresponding slots in the spray head 5 so that when the spray head 5 isrotated, the valve member 13 is rotated between first and secondpositions.

ln the first position of operation as depicted in FIG. 1, liquid wouldbe discharged through. the spray nozzle 11 in a downwardly inclineddirection. In such position an unrestricted or a full rate of flow ofliquid is achieved as the first port-l7 of the valve member 13 is inregister with the port 14 of the body. Liquid flows through ports 17 and14 into the annular chamber 15 and thence to the discharge chamber 16through clearances between the valve 13 and the spray head 5.

vWhen the spray head 5 is rotated into the second position depicted inFIG. 2, the spray nozzle 11 is disposed to provide an upwardly inclinedspray. On rotating the spray head 5, the valve member 13 is turnedthrough 180 by the interengagement of the lugs 19 with the spray head 5.The port 18 is thus brought into register with the port 14 of the body.In this second position only a restricted or limited rate of flow ofliquid can be achieved as the second port 18 of the valve member 13 issmaller than the first port 17. Liquid now flows through ports 18 and 14into the annular chamber and thence to the discharge chamber 16. Whilstthe spray head 5 is rotated between the first and second positions,there is no communication from the bore 2 to the annular chamber as thecontinuous wall of the valve member 13 intermediate the ports 17 and 18is in register with the port 14.

As will now be appreciated where the invented spray nozzle fitting isbeing utilisted in an installation having a limited catchment area byappropriate selection of the areas of the valve ports the flow ratesthrough the valve member to the spray ports can be chosen to obtain therequired trajectory of the falling or descending discharge spray toensure that it is in the catchment area.

Although in the foregoing embodiment of this invention, the twopositions provide discharge spray directions extending normal to oneanother, other variations are possible by modifying the degree ofrelative rotation and/or the angular spacing between the valve ports.Additionally, more than two positions could be provided for certainapplications or installations by modifying the port arrangement of thevalve member.

In order that the applications of this invention be fully understoodreference will now be made to the drawing of FIG. 4 which depicts a wallmounted installation such as would include a catchment area comprising afootstanding (not shown).

The installation comprises a vertically extending guide rail 20supported at each end by a pillar 21 mounted on the wall oranalogoussupport 22. A clamping sleeve 23 is mounted on the rail 20 forsliding movement along the length thereof and a spray nozzle fitting 24is supported by the sleeve 23. The spray nozzle fitting 24 is of thetype afore-described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, and the liquidsupply pipe 25 is flexible and extends from a wall mounted socket 26.

As will nowvbe apparent, the spray nozzle fitting 24 may be utilised atany desired vertical position by sliding the sleeve 23 and clamping itin the required position. In the upper position, the spray head is inits first position with a full downward spray discharge, and in thelower position the spray headis in its second position with a restrictedupward spray.

In a further installation as depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, the catchmentarea is defined by a wall mounted basin 27 and the invented spray nozzlefitting 30 is mounted on one end of a curved tube 28 which is connectedto a flexible supply' pipe 29. The curved tube 28 may ei ther house asupply pipe or constitute the pipe itself. The tube 28 extends through aboss 31 mounted on the rear ledge 32 of the basin. The boss 31 guidesthe tube 28 for relative sliding movement'so that the spray nozzlefitting 30 can be adjusted to different positions relative to the basin27. The two extreme positions are depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6. If desireda frictional device engaging with the tube 28 may be provided to ensurethat the spray nozzle fitting is retained in the desired position..

As will now be clear, if and when it is required to have an upwardlydirected spray discharge, then the spray head may be rotated which willresult in the flow rate being restricted so that the falling spray isstill within the confines of the basin rim.

It is envisaged that certain modifications to the spray nozzle fittingas aforedescribed could be made to achieve the same result. Forinstance, the body could be provided with the portsof differingcross-sectional area, and the valve member be provided with a singleport which is brought into register with either of the body ports onrotation of the valve member relative to the body. Such modified versionis also deemed as within the scope of this invention.

Yet a further modification is envisaged in which the valve memberincludes two or more parts and one part is rotatable with the spray headwhilst the other part is stationary with respect to the body.

I claim:

1. A spray nozzle fitting comprising an elongated body formed with abore for communication with a liquid supply, a spray head rotatablymounted on said body and having a spray discharge outlet, valve meansmounted within said spray nozzle and providing a path for liquid fromsaid bore to said discharge outlet, said valve means including a valvemember mounted coaxially of said spray head and rotatable in said bodybetween first and second positions to provide two different rates offlow through said valve means, said spray .head andsaid valve memberhaving interengaging means which serve to rotate said valve memberrelative to said body when said spray head is rotated between said firstposition in which said spray discharge outlet is direct in one sense andsaid second position in which said spray discharge outlet is directed inan alternative sense.

2. A spray nozzle fitting according to claim 1 wherein said bodyincludes a port arranged to register with either one of two ports ofdiffering cross-sectional area formed in said valve member when saidvalve member is either in said first or second positions whereby saiddifferent flow rates may be obtained, and said valve member is arrangedto close said liquid path during rotation of the spray head between saidfirst and second positions.

3. A spray nozzlefitting according to claim 2 wherein said body portopens to an annular chamber extending between'said body and said sprayhead and said annular chamber is in communication with a dischargechamber, and a perforated spray nozzle mounted on said spray headextending transverse to the axis of rotation 5. A spray nozzle fittingaccording to claim 4 wherein said first and second positions of thespray head are diametrically opposed and defined by means carried bysaid spray head located in a semi-circular groove having closed endsformed in said body, a hand grip carried by said body, and a boreextending through said hand grip and communicating with a liquid supplyand said bore in said body.

1. A spray nozzle fitting comprising an elongated body formed with abore for communication with a liquid supply, a spray head rotatablymounted on said body and having a spray discharge outlet, valve meansmounted within said spray nozzle and providing a path for liquid fromsaid bore to said discharge outlet, said valve means including a valvemember mounted coaxially of said spray head and rotatable in said bodybetween first and second positions to provide two different rates offlow through said valve means, said spray head and said valve memberhaving interengaging means which serve to rotate said valve memberrelative to said body when said spray head is rotated between said firstposition in which said spray discharge outlet is direct in one sense andsaid second position in which said spray discharge outlet is directed inan alternative sense.
 2. A spray nozzle fitting according to claim 1wherein said body includes a port arranged to register with either oneof two ports of differing cross-sectional area formed in said valvemember when said valve member is either in said first or secondpositions whereby said different flow rates may be obtained, and saidvalve member is arranged to close said liquid path during rotation ofthe spray head between said first and second positions.
 3. A spraynozzle fitting according to claim 2 wherein said body port opens to anannular chamber extending between said body and said spray head and saidannular chamber is in communication with a discharge chamber, and aperforated spray nozzle mounted on said spray head extending transverseto the axis of rotation of said spray head terminates the extent of saiddischarge chamber.
 4. A spray nozzle fitting according to claim 3wherein said valve member is cup-shaped and rotatably mounted withinsaid body, said valve member having a base remote from the inlet of saidbore, lugs on said base of said valve member engaging with slots in saidspray head.
 5. A spray nozzle fitting according to claim 4 wherein saidfirst and second positions of the spray head are diametrically opposedand defined by means carried by said spray head located in asemi-circular groove having closed ends formed in said body, a hand gripcarried by said body, and a bore extending through said hand grip andcommunicating with a liquid supply and said bore in said body.